Where to stay in Arraial do Cabo
Arraial do Cabo is small: downtown, Praia dos Anjos and Praia Grande sit close together, and you can walk to most things. Still, each area has its own pace — and picking well changes the trip. We live on Praia Grande, so here's the honest answer, including where we're not the best pick.
Short answer: want the beach at your door and the sun setting over the sea? Praia Grande. Want bars and restaurants on foot? Downtown. Is the boat tour the heart of your trip? Praia dos Anjos, where the boats leave from. And Prainha, with calm water, is great for a beach day — 15–20 min on foot from Praia Grande.
The areas, side by side
| Area | Best for | The beach | Vibe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Praia Grande | Beach on foot and sunsets over the ocean | Long (about 2 km) and open, with wind and waves; the best sunset in town | Plenty of room on the sand even in high season |
| Praia dos Anjos | Anyone doing the boat tour | Calm bay, fishing and tour boat harbor | Busy pier early in the morning |
| Downtown | Going out at night without a car | No beach of its own; Praia dos Anjos and Praia Grande a few minutes away | Cafés, bars and shops — the liveliest at night |
| Prainha | Calm water and snorkeling | Small, sheltered by the rocks, shallow still water | Fills up fast on sunny days — go early |
Why we chose Praia Grande
It's Arraial's main beach — long and open, with room for your towel even in January. From Massambaba it's 200 meters: you can go before breakfast, barefoot. And at the end of the day the sun sets over the sea, right in front of us. It's the scene guests talk about most.
From here, Praia dos Anjos (where the boat tour departs) and downtown are a 15–20 minute walk, and so is Prainha. So you sleep somewhere quiet and still reach everything without a car.
The honest part: Praia Grande is open ocean. On very windy days the water gets rough and cold — that's when we send everyone to Prainha, which is sheltered. And if your plan is going out every night, downtown keeps you closer to the bars.
Rooms and prices at Massambaba
Homemade breakfast included in every room, 100% solar power. Prices from — they go up on holidays and in high season.
Details for each room in Rooms and prices.
FAQ
What is the best area to stay in Arraial do Cabo?
It depends on what you want. Praia Grande for beach on foot and sunsets over the sea; downtown for bars and restaurants at night; Praia dos Anjos if you're doing the boat tour. The town is small, so the three are a 15–20 minute walk from each other.
Do I need a car to stay in Arraial do Cabo?
No. Downtown, Praia dos Anjos and Praia Grande are close and you can do everything on foot. For Pontal do Atalaia and Praia do Forno, the boat tour or a taxi does the job.
Is Massambaba Hostel close to the beach?
Yes, 200 m from Praia Grande — under 5 minutes on foot. Praia dos Anjos and downtown are a 15–20 minute walk.